FC Bayern thrashed RB Leipzig 6-1 at the Allianz Arena. But while the Munich team put on a truly spectacular performance on the field, coach Vincent Kompany caused some surprise on the sidelines. The Belgian appeared visibly shaken during the match and was unable to attend the customary postgame press conference after the final whistle. Sporting director Max Eberl later provided an update on the 40-year-old’s health.
Even during the first half, it was noticeable that Kompany was spending an unusually long time on the bench.
Normally, the Bayern coach directs his team vocally from the coaching zone. Against Leipzig, however, his assistant Aaron Danks took over this role for the most part.
Sky host Sebastian Hellmann observed the situation and noted: “He can barely walk up the stairs.”
Eberl reveals: Kompany has an infection and a hip injury
Even during the match, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund had confirmed that Kompany was feeling under the weather. “He’s not quite fit. He’s a bit under the weather,” Freund explained on Sky.
Just how severe his symptoms actually were became clear by halftime at the latest. Kompany skipped his usual route up the stairs and instead left the field through an exit in a corner of the stadium.
He was accompanied by team doctor Roland Schmidt and his assistant, Rodyse Munienge. The coach later returned via the same route.
After the final whistle, Kompany was ultimately absent from the scheduled interviews.
Eberl provided an explanation: “He has an infection and a sports injury to his hip. He’s currently in the coaches’ locker room and unfortunately can’t come out.”
Did Kompany slip on a staircase?
More questions arose after the game regarding the Bayern coach’s hip injury. A Sky reporter asked Eberl whether it was true that Kompany had slipped on a staircase.
However, the Bayern boss could not confirm this account. “I can’t confirm that,” Eberl clarified.
Exactly how Kompany sustained the injury and how serious his condition is therefore remains unclear.
On the field, at any rate, the unusual situation on the sidelines had no negative impact. Bayern dominated Leipzig for long stretches and celebrated a convincing 6-1 victory thanks to a hat trick by Luis Díaz.
Kompany doesn’t have much time to recover, though. The record champions have an important Champions League match against Arsenal FC coming up as early as Wednesday.
It remains to be seen whether the Belgian will be fully fit by then and able to direct his team from the sidelines as usual.